Middlesex, on Wednesday (April 19), announced the signing of New Zealand and Mumbai Indians fast-bowler Tim Southee as their second overseas player for the Natwest T20 Blast.

The 28-year old will join his compatriots and former Black Cap teammates Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori at the English county outfit. McCullum will share captaincy duties with Dawid Malan while Vettori, who is also the head coach of IPL outfit Royal Challengers Bangalore, will coach the team.

The right-arm pacer, who is currently plying his trade in IPL, is likely to join the English side in early July and is expected to be available for 13 of the 14 group matches. He is also likely to be available for the knockout stages if the team qualifies.

Last season, Middlesex finished third in the South group before being knocked out at the quarter-final stage by the eventual winners Northamptonshire.

“Tim is one of the leading fast bowlers in the world. He has plenty of experience in T20 cricket and looks to bowl in the periods where we feel we could be better,” Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s managing director of cricket, said. “We look forward to welcoming him to Lord’s.”

The Kiwi pacer played county cricket in the past too. In 2011, he took 22 wickets in 15 matches during the Friends Life t20, as well as scoring his only T20 half-century for Essex.He has taken 46 wickets at an average of 26.71 in 39 T20 international games. Overall, he has taken 139 T20 wickets with an economy of 8.26.

“I’m excited to be joining Middlesex this year for the NatWest T20 blast and helping the club throughout the T20 competition,” Southee said. “When the opportunity come up to play for Middlesex it wasn’t a tough decision to make and I’m looking forward to calling Lord’s home while I’m there.”